Article Sidebar

Share this Story: Davies still humble Canadian with contract extension from Bayern Munich

Trending

Article content

Alphonso Davies is reaching lofty heights as a professional soccer player, but it seems his feet are still firmly planted on the ground.

On the heels of signing a contract extension with Bayern Munich through the 2025 season, Davies took time out to host a video conference call Monday as the German Bundesliga begins to slowly inch back toward a return from the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

Davies still humble Canadian with contract extension from Bayern MunichBack to video

Davies, 19, signed a two-year extension with Bayern on April 20 and is back training with the team as the German league looks at returning on May 9.

“In the morning, we get up and start training at around 10:15 a.m., in small groups, six or seven people, and we do our assignments that we are given on the field,” Davies said. “Obviously, we don’t high-five each other or fist-bump each other, we try to keep a safe distance.

“Once we’re done training, we go home and we trying to stay at home. Obviously if you want to go outside, you can go outside, but we all know that we have to be cautious of the situation and we take cautious steps being outside around a large group of people.”

Advertisement

Story continues below

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content continued

Born in a refugee camp in Ghana to Liberian parents, Davies immigrated to Canada and grew up in Edmonton, playing in the city’s club system before joining the Vancouver Whitecaps youth program five years ago. He went on to play with the Whitecaps first team for two seasons before signing with Bayern in July 2018, in what was then a MLS-record $22-million US transfer.

Davies joined Bayern later that year and made his debut with the legendary club in January 2019, scoring his first goal for the team in March.

Davies has become a regular starter for Bayern at left back and had a goal and eight assists in 31 games before the league was halted due to the pandemic, where Germany has 158,213 confirmed cases and 6,021 deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins University and Medicine Coronavirus Resource Centre.

Advertisement

Story continues below

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content continued

“My progression here in Germany has been a really good one,” Davies said. “I have a good supporting staff around me and good teammates encouraging me every single day to perform on the field and to perform in training and I set high standards for myself as well knowing that Bayern Munich is one of the best teams in the world.

“Each and every day you have to perform, whether it’s on the practice ground or off the practice ground. I just want to improve each and every day.”

Bayern Munich’s Canadian midfielder Alphonso Davies drinks during a training session at the football team’s training grounds in Munich, southern Germany, on April 22, 2020. Christof Stache / Getty Images

A player of enormous talent, Davies is setting an example and paving the way for Canadians on the world soccer stage.

It was difficult to predict how the speedy, left-footed offensive winger would fit into the Bayern system alongside some of the best players in the world. Davies has found a spot at left back, although an argument can be made he should play further up the field when suiting up internationally for Canada.

Advertisement

Story continues below

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content continued

“Being Canadian, I’m happy that I’m getting an opportunity to play for this amazing club,” Davies said. “Then being so young and coming early, it’s even more motivation to try and inspire young Canadian athletes, especially footballers to set their mind to something and not being afraid to go after it regardless of where you’re from.

“Canada hasn’t really been a top footballing country in the world, but I think the next generation of players coming through, I think we can really change that.”

Davies is expected to lead the charge for Canada, which is looking to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar before co-hosting the 2026 tournament with the United States and Mexico. Canada has only ever qualified for the World Cup in 1986, when it lost all three group games and didn’t score a goal in Mexico.

Advertisement

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content continued

Davies did his part in helping secure the 2026 tournament in North America — which likely comes with an automatic berth — travelling to Russia and speaking on behalf of the bid for Canada.

“Being able to have the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA is a great honour for us,” Davies said. “Being able to speak at the ceremony that announced they were bringing it here was a stepping stone for a young player like me. I’m happy that it’s coming to Canada.”

By the time the World Cup gets to Canada, it’s possible Davies could be a bona fide superstar on the international scene.

Prior to leagues around the world coming to an abrupt halt, Davies had an outstanding game against Chelsea in a 3-0 Champions League round of 16 win at Stamford Bridge in London in February.

Advertisement

Story continues below

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content continued

Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski celebrates scoring their third goal with teammate Alphonso Davies in Champions League round of 16 first Leg play at Stamford Bridge, London on February 25, 2020. Eddie Keogh / Reuters

Davies set up a goal in the contest and was arguably the best player on the field. He was prompted by his teammates after the game to acknowledge the travelling Bayern fans, who were chanting his name.

“Going into that game, I knew it was a very important game for the team,” Davies said. “The Champions League and being able to play in the round of 16, is every kid’s dream come true. I just wanted to go out there and play my game and I’m happy that we played so well.

“I heard the fans calling my name and I was a little bit shy at first, but I had teammates that encouraged me to give them a little applause and a little love, and it felt good afterwards.”

Share this article in your social network

Share this Story: Davies still humble Canadian with contract extension from Bayern Munich

Trending

Related Stories

This Week in Flyers

Article Comments

Comments

Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. Comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. We ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. We have enabled email notifications—you will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings.

Notice for the Postmedia Network

This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.